A hearing for the boys accused in the Jonesboro, Arkansas, school shootings will be held.

On the horizon

Thursday, April 30, is the official date of the 50th anniversary of Israel.

On Friday, May 1, much of the world marks International Labor Day, or May Day.

On Saturday, May 2, the Kentucky Derby, the first in racing's Triple Crown, is to be held in Louisville, Kentucky.

On Sunday, May 3, the National Cable Television Association opens its annual convention in Atlanta.

On Monday, May 4, the Kent State Students Memorial Day will be observed.

On this day

In 1429, Joan of Arc entered Orleans with supplies seven months into the
siege of the city in the Hundred Years War; the siege was lifted a week later.

In 1628, Sweden and Denmark signed a treaty for the defense of Stralsund,
bringing Sweden into the Thirty Years War.

In 1769, the first Duke of Wellington, victor of the Battle of Waterloo, was
born in Dublin as Arthur Wellesley.

In 1818, Alexander II, czar of Russia, was born; he emancipated the serfs in 1861 but severe repression of political opposition led to his assassination in 1881.

In 1913, the improved version of the zipper was patented by
Swedish engineer Gideon Sundback as a "separable fastener."

In 1916, after a siege of 143 days, the British surrendered
Kut-el-Amara to the Turks.

In 1942, the Japanese army captured the town of Lashio,
cutting off the Burma Road between China and India.

In 1944, U.S. forces attacked Truk in the Caroline Islands,
dropping more than 800 tons of bombs.

In 1945, the terms of surrender of the German armies in Italy
were signed; Venice and Mestre were captured by the Allies; in
Berlin, Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun, but also made his will
naming Admiral Doenitz as his successor; American forces
liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

In 1965, the Australian government announced it had decided to
send troops to Vietnam.

In 1965, Malta became the 18th member of the Council of
Europe.

In 1972, in Burundi, the deposed King Ntare V was killed in an
abortive coup.

In 1975, in the closing hours of the Vietnam War, the last
U.S. troops were evacuated from Saigon.

In 1979, Jaime Roldos of the Concentration of Popular Forces
party was elected president of Ecuador.

In 1980, Sir Alfred Hitchcock, British-born film director best
known for his suspense thrillers, notably "Psycho," died.

In 1981, in England, Peter Sutcliffe admitted he was the
Yorkshire Ripper, murderer of 13 women.

In 1981, in a whites-only election, the National Party was
returned to power in South Africa but with a reduced majority.

In 1989, 14 Liverpool football supporters were sentenced
to jail terms for their part in the 1985 Heysel stadium tragedy
in Belgium.